Tron: Legacy

Director: Joseph Kosinski
Stars: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain, Beau Garrett, Michael Sheen

Walt Disney Pictures

IN 1982 Walt Disney Pictures took a chance on an odd sounding project that revolved around stolen gaming rights, multi-million dollar corporations, self-aware computer programs, avatars that mimic their programmers and an oppressive Master Control Program (MCP). And while Tron didn’t pay-out big at the box office it became one of the most influential and iconic movies of the 1980s.

When unsuspecting user, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) seeks to circumvent the authority of the MCP to prove his former employer’s most successful video games were, in fact, stolen from him, he incurs the wrath of the MCP. Drawn into the digitised world known as The Grid, his only ally is the security program Tron, written by his co-worker Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner). Needless to say, by banding together they defeat MCP, save the day and Flynn returns to the real world with evidence in hand for fortune and glory and begins planning to return to the computer realm and usher in a new age of digital tranquility.

Fast forward to the present day. Kevin Flynn has been missing for 20 years and his once generous company now resembles a warped version of Microsoft, releasing new operating systems regularly, with the new features “a box housing the product”.  Flynn’s son, Sam (Garrett Hedlund) rejects his father’s legacy, pursuing instead an existence based on motorcycles and minor rebellions such as disrupting the product launches held by his father’s company.

When Alan Bradley receives a mysterious message from a disconnected phone number of Flynn’s,  he and Sam investigate the source of the signal, drawing Sam, like his father, into the digital realm. Mirror themes pervade this sequel, be it Sam re-enacting identical lines and situations Flynn did in the 1982 prequel, or the electro-beat score by French electro band,  Daft Punk , who admit to being heavily influenced by the original film.

The Grid has changed. In an attempt to bring the “perfect world” into existence, Flynn created sentient program Clu 2.0.  Clu 2.0 seeks to eradicate self-created programs known as ISOs (Isomorphic Algorithms) and other imperfect beings, and turns on its maker. Tron fights Clu 2.0 in order to let Flynn escape. Flynn is now outcast, helpless while his own creation “purges” The Grid of ISOs and remakes the world in its own design.

Other programs now live in fear of derezzing or are subjected to gladiatorial conflicts within The Grid via light cycle races. The digital world is on the brink—will new arrival, Sam, or mysterious program (and Flynn’s apprentice) Quorra (Olivia Wilde) spark a revolution?

Tron: Legacy is very different to Tron in look, content and tone. The computer programs provide allegories for genocide and even religious and messianic complexes. Debut director Joseph Kosinski presents a great eye, one well honed from his experience with television commercials (particularly within the gaming industry, garnering praise for his Halo 3 Starry Night and the award-winning Mad World for Gears of War).

The visuals artfully mesh the stylish special effects and neon-lit real life actors, and the digital version of Jeff Bridges, as Clu 2.0 is exceedingly well done. In this reviewer’s opinion, on par with the N’avi from Avatar. The 3D is subtle, with just one minor-yet-jarring scene. The complementary use of both models and CG is beautifully rendered and it is difficult to ascertain where one ends and the other begins. The action sequences are tight, well paced and impressive—as is the skin-tight Lycra. Tron: Legacy is an enjoyable holiday popcorn film, with a bit more depth than you might expect and some incredible effects-driven set pieces.

Tron: Legacy opens nationally on December 16.

Review: Dave Kozicki

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